"Idiot," Tonitrum grumbled, casting a disapproving glance at Canna.
A vein pulsed on Canna's forehead. He couldn't understand why the dragon was being so dismissive. "I just need to know if you have information about a place or maybe even a being that could help with landscaping," Canna insisted, trying to keep his frustration in check.
Tonitrum shook his head, his eyes filled with a mix of irritation and amusement. "You have the Codex, use it. Do your own research. If you disturb my slumber again for trivial matters, I'll make you sleep for a month," Tonitrum warned, his tone leaving no room for argument. With that, he settled back into his slumber.
Canna felt a chill run down his spine at the dragon's casual threat. He had no idea what Tonitrum meant by making him sleep for a month, but he had no desire to find out. Taking the hint, he retreated and turned his attention to the Codex—a comprehensive magical tome that contained vast knowledge about the rare races of creatures, plants and trees.
After consulting the Codex and discussing options with Mortem, Canna compiled a list of races renowned for their mastery of nature magic or landscaping abilities. Together, they brainstormed the best options to help transform the barren domain into a lush sanctuary.
The list included:
Nature Dragons - Renowned for their deep connection to the earth and ability to rejuvenate landscapes.
Dryads - Tree spirits with the power to foster plant growth and maintain forest ecosystems.
Wood Elves - Skilled in both magic and traditional horticulture, often acting as stewards of natural landscapes.
Ents - Ancient tree beings with the power to nurture forests and shape the land.
Sylphs - Air elementals with control over weather patterns, aiding in rain and wind management.
Nymphs - Water spirits that can purify and enhance water sources, crucial for supporting plant life.
Druids - Practitioners of nature magic, capable of healing the land and fostering biodiversity.
Mossfolk - Small, moss-covered creatures that thrive in damp, forested environments, known for their ability to cultivate moss and fungi, enriching the soil.
Aarakocra (Forest Clan) - Bird-like humanoids who have a deep understanding of ecosystems and can aid in forest regeneration and maintaining ecological balance.
Elemental Sprites - Small elemental beings that can influence natural elements, aiding in land restoration and weather control.
After two hours, Canna and Mortem compiled a list of races that could help them with the domain's problem.
This comprehensive list gave Canna a sense of direction, but he knew that convincing these races to assist him would mean leaving the dungeon—a prospect he hadn't considered until now. The dark, damp environment of the dungeon had become familiar, but he understood that stepping out was necessary for his vision to materialize. He summoned all his subordinates and included Kael in the discussion.
__________
They had a lengthy discussion about their plans once they ascended the dungeon. Canna, Kael, and Mortem also sketched a rough map of what the Sanctuary would look like.
In the north, Canna planned to create a home for cold-loving creatures, making it the coldest possible place and calling it the Arctic.
The west would be dedicated to the ocean. Canna had already checked the area and found it to be thousands of feet deep. This was where Tonitrum practiced in his early stages of demigod rank, causing the ground to cave in. Canna couldn't fathom the kind of power the dragon had to level the ground so deeply and didn't want to find out. This region would be called Azure.
The east would contain mountains and giant trees, housing beings too large for the general population. Canna planned to create three mountains as tall as Mount Everest for mountain-dwelling races. This region would be called Verdant Peaks.
The south would be reserved for sand dwellers and races that preferred sandy regions, aptly named the Sahara.
At the center of the sanctuary would be Canna's residence. It would feature a lush forest, five times the size of the Amazon rainforest, providing a haven for creatures that preferred grasslands, trees, swamps, and forests. This would also be where Canna would build his capital, where his allies would make their home and it would be named Amazon
With the rough planning done, it was time to act. However, Canna had one more problem to solve before leaving the dungeon. He looked at his storage ring and summoned the dragon egg. He wouldn't leave the dungeon until the young one inside the egg hatched. Checking the souls still needed to hatch the egg, he smiled. It was time to put his "Harbringer" title to good use and hatch his baby dragon.
"121,132 / 1,000,000"
The journey ahead was daunting, but Canna felt a surge of excitement and determination. The vision of a thriving sanctuary filled his mind as he prepared to bring life to the barren domain. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Canna was ready to transform the wasteland into a haven of peace and prosperity.